Last November, the East Coast experienced an exceptionally cold middle month period, where temperatures were the coldest in 75 to 128 years! Snowfall was above average downwind of the Great Lakes and in parts of the Northern Plains. Precipitation was up 10% over the previous year, but still ranked as the third driest in more than 16 years for the nation as a whole. A mild and dry Black Friday was very favorable for store traffic in all except the Southeast, where rain was more widespread.

This month, the eastern 2/3rds of the nation will trend much warmer than last November, while the West will be generally cooler. Some parts of the East will see the largest increase in year-over-year temperatures in seven years.

Cool weather following a mild October will provide favorable conditions for strong sales gains in seasonal categories during the first week of this month. Warmer weather and less snow across the East later in the month will be good news for the holiday shopping season.

Precipitation will trend upward 52% over last year, with the wettest conditions stretching from the Southwest to the Great Lakes.